The 'cutting-edge' pensions disputes team at Burges Salmon LLP is lauded by clients for its ‘excellent knowledge of pensions litigation'. The practice is headed by Justin Briggs, who has extensive experience with cross-border pensions cases and matters which intersect with trusts, tax, and private wealth, in particular. The team is experienced advising both trustees and employers in the public and private sectors with small self-administered scheme (SSAS) disputes, and with self-invested personal pension (SIPP) disputes, which is Suzanne Padmore's area of specialism. Additionally, the team is well-equipped to assist in recovery actions and rectification cases. With the 2022 launch of the practice’s Pensions Schemes ESG Tool, clients are offered up-to-date advice on ESG requirements of UK pension schemes. Senior associate Amy Khodabandehloo is recommended for her work in pensions-related professional negligence cases.

The ‘first-class’ contentious pensions team at CMS is dually headed by Mark Grant and Maria Rodia and is especially known for its experience in handling part 7 professional negligence claims, for which Neil Smith and Neal Gibson are key contacts. Alongside this, the team is adept at advising clients on part 8 matters, as well as providing assistance in claims involving the validity of scheme closures and benefit changes. For Beddoe relief applications, Manchester-based Tim Green is the name to note, while Simon Pilcher is commended for his work with employer covenant support packages and Pensions Ombudsman investigations. Mark Atkinson is recommended for his ‘unrivalled technical knowledge’, while Alexandra Tomlinson is another name to note. Dominic Harris left the team in December 2022 to join the Pensions Ombudsman.

The dispute resolution practice at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is noted by clients as being a ‘market-leading team in the field of pensions disputes', formed of practitioners who ‘know what to expect and how to react‘ when dealing with the range of pensions litigation work. The ‘legendary' Claire Carroll leads the team and is particularly experienced in professional negligence claims, an area in which Jennifer Miles, Daniel Murphy, and associate Richard Bacon regularly provide support. The practice, which assists trustees, employers, banks, and administrators, is able to advise these clients on issues such as enforcement proceedings initiated by regulators, construction and rectification proceedings, the consolidation of pension arrangements, and breaches of statutory duties. For cases before the Pensions Regulator, Emma King and associate Amanda Rowley are key contacts.

The pensions team at Hogan Lovells International LLP is recommended for regulatory cases, particularly those that are high-profile. Recent work for the team includes the significant and cross-border Nortel case, wherein the team acted for the Trustee of the Nortel Networks UK Pension Plan in a long-running and complex cross-border matter. Angela Dimsdale Gill leads the ‘genuinely first-class team', which includes the ‘excellent‘ Matthew Bullen and the ‘brilliant‘ Nicholas Heaton. Alongside regulatory work, the practice is also experienced in financial support direction cases, as well as in advising trustees and employers on professional negligence cases, directions and rectifications, and contribution notice proceedings. Counsel Nathan Sherlock is also a name to note within the team.

The ‘well-organised' and ‘very strong' pensions dispute resolution team at Linklaters LLP regularly deals with high-stakes and high-profile pensions litigation, with recent work involving long-running moral hazard cases brought by the Pensions Regulator and litigation dealing with rectification. The ‘very intelligent‘ Mark Blyth heads the large practice, in which the key names to note are the ‘excellent‘ Philip Goss, the ‘unflappable‘ Tom Kent, Gareth Craft, and Sarah Opie. Alongside regulatory disputes, the practice also provides support in cross-border pensions matters, professional negligence claims relating to pension schemes, and cases seeking clarity over historic scheme changes. The team is also adept at advising clients during mediation processes as an alternative to litigation.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s pensions litigation team is particularly well-known for its experience in professional negligence, and pension scams-related work. The practice also advises on cross-border class actions, asset recovery work, and LDI claims in the wake of the 2022 mini-budget crisis. ‘Seasoned litigator‘ Isabel Nurse-Marsh leads the practice, and is especially adept at representing clients in front of the Pensions Ombudsman. Other key names to note within the team include Hayley Goldstone, who is experienced in the full gamut of pensions litigation and noted as being ‘very good at getting to the root of complex issues', as well as Ben Fairhead, who acts in a range of matters such as professional negligence and asset recovery, as well as in actions involving the Pensions Regulator. For part 8 actions, ‘very able and experienced associate' Liam Fitzgerald is a key contact, whilst fellow associates Richard Meers and Matt Sumpton are also names to note.

‘Second-to-none‘ boutique firm Sacker & Partners LLP focuses exclusively on pensions work. The litigation team deals mainly with professional negligence cases, rectification actions, member complaints, regulatory investigations, and risk management work. Practice head Peter Murphy is commended by clients for offering a ‘Rolls Royce service’ and is especially experienced in enforcement cases. James Bingham, who is noted for his provision of ‘sensible advice‘, is experienced in complex High Court claims as well as recovery actions. ‘Excellent‘ senior counsel Arshad Khan‘s recent work includes high-stakes professional negligence claims worth in excess of £100m.

Stephenson Harwood‘s team works together with the firm’s non-contentious, private wealth, contentious trusts, and regulatory teams to assist clients with the full spectrum of pensions dispute resolution. Headed by Helena Berman, the ‘all-round excellent‘ practice is experienced in construction and rectification applications, FCA investigations, and moral hazard cases. Jenny McKeown is particularly well-known for her work with insurers, whilst May 2023-promoted partner Chris Edwards-Earl, who is lauded by clients as a ‘very impressive litigation lawyer‘, is a key contact for RPI and CPI disputes. Associate Maria Chami is recommended for her work in professional negligence cases in a professional context.

Baker McKenzie‘s dispute resolution team is commended for its ability to ‘explain complicated matters in simple language’. Arron Slocombe leads the practice, which frequently advises trustees in cases such as Pensions Ombudsman disputes, investigations, and regulatory actions. Jeanette Holland is a name to note for her expertise in large-scale restructurings, as well as anti-avoidance cases and de-risking matters, whilst Jonathan Sharp is a key contact for pensions cases with a tax angle. Counsel Tom McNaughton and associates Hannah Moxon and Lauren Awoyinka are also recommended.

Gowling WLG‘s ‘very strong specialist pensions litigation team' is led by the ‘intelligent and astute‘ Ian Gordon, who is especially experienced in handling complex issues involving occupational pension schemes. The 'truly impressive' wider practice's workload includes assisting clients in High Court-level disputes; advising on professional negligence cases, work for which legal director Charlotte Scholes is a key contact; and assisting clients in the resolution of Pensions Ombudsman cases namely regarding claims and disputes with members. Associate Aaron Dunning-Foreman is experienced advising on issues relating to complex data breaches in a pensions context.

The pensions disputes practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP's workload includes matters ranging from advising clients in their responses to the gilt crisis, assisting in professional negligence cases, and advising on claims for investment losses incurred by trustees. Samantha Brown and William Glassey dually lead the ‘fantastic team of really classy litigators'; Brown is well-equipped to handle declaratory proceedings and Glassey is particularly experienced in professional negligence cases against solicitors, barristers, and pensions actuaries. Senior associate Dan Saunders, described as ‘responsive and a pleasure to deal with', is a key contact for work wherein sponsoring employers are navigating issues in scheme documentation. Antonia Pegden and Philip Lis are also recommended for their ‘fantastic' work.

Osborne Clarke LLP's pensions practice was bolstered in May 2022 with the arrival of the BDB Pitmans team, which includes Reading-based pensions specialists Chris Netiatis, David Hosford, and Lee Colgate. The team ably advises employers, trustees, and scheme members on the full spectrum of pensions litigation, with recent work including cases involving age discrimination, part 8 proceedings, and member complaints. Jonathan Hazlett heads up the practice and offers its clients extensive experience in disputes surrounding PPF assessment periods, whilst colleagues Charles Crowne and associate Katherine King specialise in professional negligence and rectification claims respectively; they are described as being ‘excellent' and ‘superb'.

The contentious pensions team at Slaughter and May is headed by 'standout partner' Richard Jeens, who is described by clients as a ‘reassuring presence‘. The practice is highly regarded for its commercial litigation-related work in pensions disputes contexts. It also offers trustees and employers assistance in part 8 claims, investigations by the Pensions Regulator, and member complaints. Pensions issues in M&A transactions are regularly dealt with by Chris Sharpe, who was promoted to the partnership in May 2022, while Daniel Schaffer’s recent experience includes advising on pensions investigations. The 'very impressive' Sandy Maudgil and associate Rachel Hunter are recommended for their recent work on judicial review proceedings for a major pension scheme, whilst associate Serina Lyons is complimented as an ‘up-and-coming’ member of the team.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ pensions litigation practice is experienced in dealing with trustees, employers, and scheme members, and is adept at assisting large schemes such as the Jaguar Land Rover Pension Scheme and Thames Water Pension Trustees Limited. The team is led by Manchester-based practitioner Victoria Leigh, who is recommended for her work in public sector pensions. Other work the practice carries out includes risk management; regulatory proceedings, an area in which Jason Blakey is recommended; contentious issues at the juncture of pensions and tax; professional negligence cases; and construction and rectification issues. The practice has noteworthy abilities handling small, self-administered schemes.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s pensions disputes team is headed by ‘formidable negotiator‘ Susan Garrett. The team is described as 'dynamic' and as being formed of lawyers who make 'almost superhuman' efforts to reach the best outcome for clients. Its recent work includes equalisation cases, rectification actions, as well as Pension Ombudsman and IDRP complaints, which is a specialty for Rachel Uttley. Jade Murray is adept at assisting clients on the pensions matters in transactions, in particular, whilst Rachel Rawnsley is experienced acting for blue-chip pension trustees. Other key contacts within the team include Clare Dwyer and associate Triin Ungert.

The pensions team at Clyde & Co is especially recommended for its ‘top drawer‘ professional negligence work. Alongside this, the practice advises on remedial proceedings seeking declaratory relief, and provides assistance in cases where the client has previously received defective advice regarding scheme mergers and restructurings. Fergal Cathie heads the team, which includes the ‘excellent‘ Ivan Wilkinson, financial institutions insurance coverage specialist Laura Cooke, and associate Toby Rouse, who is adept at acting in professional indemnity cases.

Dentons regularly advises employers and trustees on both defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes, as well as on matters such as regulator investigations, and litigious aspects of buy-outs. Eleanor Hart and Alison Weatherhead jointly lead the practice; Hart heads up the reward-focused side of the team, whilst Weatherhead leads the people, reward, and mobility-focused team from Edinburgh. Counsel Caroline Curran joined the Manchester team in October 2022 from Brabners LLP, and is experienced in handling contentious matters across the pensions space.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s team is adept at handling the full gamut of contentious pensions issues for trustees and employers, including member complaints, professional negligence cases, regulatory investigations, and investment disputes. The practice is also experienced in assisting with cross-border contentious cases, with recent work involving Scotland, the US, and Guernsey. The ‘proactive and efficient‘ Tim Shepherd jointly leads the team with ‘able and thoughtful litigator‘ Stuart Pickford, and Andrew Block, who is especially experienced advising employers on a range of contentious pensions matters.

The pensions litigation team at Taylor Wessing LLP is headed by the ‘clever' and ‘totally committed' Mark Smith, who is especially experienced in the charities, financial services, media, transport, and logistics sectors. The practice is recommended for its work in pensions fraud cases, and also offers its clients assistance in cases of restructurings, as well as in matters brought by regulatory bodies, and rectification issues. Anna Taylor joined the team in January 2022 from rival Linklaters LLP, bringing extensive experience in advising companies and trustees on a breadth of pensions issues.

TLT's pensions team seamlessly combines both contentious and non-contentious expertise to assist clients with matters such as professional negligence claims, complaints from the Pensions Ombudsman, construction cases, and rectification matters. Team co-head Sasha Butterworth is dually qualified in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and is especially recommended for her expertise in risk reduction and trustee ESG governance; fellow co-head and ‘superb lawyer' Victoria Mabbett has extensive experience in mediation in particular. Paul Gair and associates Kate Ward, Victoria Channing, and Jack Hargreaves are also key names in the practice.

Fieldfisher‘s pensions practice is part of its broader employment, compliance, and immigration practice, and is particularly experienced at assisting representative beneficiaries. The team is led by David Gallagher, who is regarded by clients as being ‘very good technically'. Other work the practice undertakes includes equalisation, and negligence cases.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s pensions litigation team sits within the firm’s broader dispute resolution team, which is led by the firm's EMEA-lead Patrick Bourke. The practice routinely advises employers and trustees on issues such as investigations initiated by the pensions regulator, internal complaints, and professional negligence cases. Key contacts within the team include the ‘hugely bright' Lesley Browning and associate Suzie Kemp.